Crosby, Stills, Nash & sometimes Young: press-book

What the press says

This is defenitely the most comprehensive biography on Crosby Stills Nash and Young ever. The set contains three awasome books and it is like an endless well of information. ALOHA (Holland - June 2002)

This 3 part CSN&Y biography, based on a lot of interviews with dozens of insiders and with the gentlemen themselves, is the most complete book ever published about Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Belgian national radio Radio 1

The authors invested ten years of their lives researching obscure information and talking to CSN and to more than one hundred people related to CSN&Y. This 3-volume biography is definitely very interesting and well-worth for fans and for those who want to know more about CSN&Y music. The three books are like an encyclopedia and people will certainly love them. Nederlandse Library information desk (Holland - 2002)

This is a unique work in its genre, created with passion, competence and style, richly documented and far from the boring sketchiness which often plagues books full of data and information. You can bet these volumes will stand as the real reference books of the band, an indispensable tool for those who work with/for CSN&Y, for the hardcore fan, but also for the casual reader. The books are not cheap, but they are definitely worth every single cent. A must for any genuine rock fan. JAM (Italy - November 2002)

Un'opera unica nel suo genere, creata con passione, competenza e gusto, con una così ricca documentazione che esula, però, dal solito noioso schematismo. C'è da scommettere che rimarrà nel tempo come il vero reference book del gruppo californiano, uno strumento di lavoro indispensabile per fan, addetti ai lavori ma anche per comuni lettori di musica. Non costano poco, beninteso, ma valgono per intero il sacrificio economico. Un must per ogni vero appassionato di musica rock. JAM (Italy - November 2002)

Se volete conoscere a menadito la vicenda di CSN&Y, cercate senza timori questi libri, vedrete che tutte le pubblicazioni inerenti vi sembreranno inutili al confronto. LATE FOR THE SKY (Italy – November 2002)

If you really want to know EVERYTHING about CSN&Y, look for these books and buy them. After reading them, any other CSNY related publication will look superfluous. LATE FOR THE SKY (Italy – November 2002)

Per quanti sforzi, si possano fare è assai difficile che un'ulteriore biografia dedicata ad un gruppo di musica rock sia in grado di far sensazione più di questa. Mille e passa pagine complessive, più di cento interviste esclusive, circa ottomila date di concerti commentate, una discografia completa ed arricchita da un capitolo intero dedicato alle sessions e alle canzoni inedite: questo e ancora altro è CROSBY STILLS NASH and sometimes YOUNG, la storia completa del gruppo mito della musica californiana, la band che ha sconvolto una generazione e che, a distanza di trent'anni, fa ancora sognare migliaia di fans. Tre volumi che mettono a fuoco le storie delle prime band dei componenti del gruppo (il primo), la cronistoria nei minimi dettagli del supergruppo fino ai giorni nostri (il secondo), l'appendice monumentale di tutte le registrazioni, concerti, sessions (il terzo). Nato dopo una lunga gestazione (dieci anni di ricerche) da un quartetto di appassionati agguerriti e puntali, CROSBY STILLS NASH and sometimes YOUNG è un lavoro unico, preciso, perfetto, che soddisferà l'occhio e il palato di appassionati, fans e addetti ai lavori. Pubblicato in Olanda dalla Gopher Publishers può essere ordinato sul sito www.gopherpublishers.com: è in inglese e non costa poco, sia chiaro, ma vi assicuro che comunque vale assolutamente la pena farci un pensiero e un sacrificio (economico). Un must per tutti gli appassionati della musica californiana… e non solo. www.cruisincalifornia.com

"I quattro cavalieri del rock: ´C.S.N.&Y' Una biografia a cavallo tra Woodstock e il futuro." di Leonardo Lodato. Una biografia monumentale nata dall'amore e dalle cure a dir poco maniacali che Herman Verbeke, Francesco Lucarelli, Stefano Frollano e Lucien van Diggelen hanno dedicato, nel corso degli anni, ad uno dei gruppi più influenti della storia del rock. 'Crosby Stills Nash (and sometimes) Young', (edita dall'olandese Gopher Publishers, euro 100 per l'opera completa ma acquistabile anche separatamente), raccoglie in tre volumi, per un totale di 992 pagine, tutto ma proprio tutto sulla band che dal 1969 ad oggi continua a fare grande il rock d'autore ´made in America'. Il primo volume racconta 'The early years', gli esordi, con David Stills, Stephen Crosby e Graham Nash impegnati con le rispettive band (Byrds, Buffalo Springfield e gli inglesi Hollies). Nella seconda parte, la più voluminosa, entra in gioco anche Neil Young, per dare vita ad un racconto che, dal 1968, prosegue fino al 2001. Il terzo volume è destinato a diventare una vera e propria enciclopedia di C.S.N.&Y. grazie ad un'attentissima discografia, ma anche alla videografia, alla bibliografia, alla cronologia dei concerti con tanto di tracklist e line up, oltre ad una lista di apparizioni in radio e tv e all'elenco delle canzoni del gruppo cantate da altri artisti. Immancabile e di ottima qualità il corredo fotografico in bianco e nero e a colori, con foto 'live' e copertine dei dischi, mentre risultano curiosi e gustosi i numerosi racconti, 'rubati' in presa diretta, degli stessi artisti così come di produttori, manager e personaggi dell'entourage che hanno seguito la band in studio o durante i concerti, offrendo uno spaccato inedito dell'attività di quattro tra i più grandi nomi della scena musicale internazionale. Definirla un'opera immancabile nella libreria di tutti gli appassionati è a dir poco superfluo. Per i più giovani, cioè per chi non fosse ancora al corrente dell'influenza che David, Graham, Steven e Neil hanno avuto sulla musica, lo sforzo dei quattro autori è mirato a fornire un'idea piuttosto esaustiva di quella che è stata la storia del rock attraverso gli anni, partendo dai Sessanta, per viaggiare nei magici anni Settanta - che bettezzarono C.S.N.&Y. come 'supergruppo' - per arrivare alla rinascita degli Ottanta e giungere oltre i Novanta. Caratteristica del libro, e soprattutto della casa editrice, la vendita via Internet che permette alla Gopher di stampare i volumi su ordinazione con la possibilità, tra l'altro, di personalizzarli. LA SICILIA (Italy - 5 December 2002)

To quote a certain Mr. Crosby, "It's been a long time comin'..." These words, as well as the famous phrase "Yeah, right" surround the long overdue release of the English language version of "Crosby, Stills, Nash and sometimes Young". News of the release of this much anticipated 3-volume set was starting to approach the status of other legendary no shows (e.g. when someone tells you "Neil's archives are supposed to be out by Christmas," or "On The Beach is coming out on CD". To which you give the aforementioned reply, "Yeah, right!"). The first communication of this project came in a cool color mailer encouraging you to order before November 2000. (I actually saw one of these mailers for sale on ebay as a collectible!). At that point it was also only a 2 volume set and was to be published by another publisher. Well, like anything that seems to be even remotely associated with Mr. Young, the delays set in. When the news came that it was expanded to a 3-volume set, I immediately ordered. I then returned to waiting mode while it was released in a Dutch language version only and I guess some members of the CSN organization took a look at it. After almost reaching the point of having to purchase some Dutch language records, the big package finally arrived. The amazing part is how many times have you ordered something and still had the commitment met over a year later (and no smart remarks about Lost Dog's service please!). My admiration goes to the authors and to Gopher Publishing or providing the updates and finally taking care of the fans so anxiously awaiting this project So now the big question, was it worth the wait? YOU BET IT WAS!! First off, what an amazing undertaking! As the authors have stated, there are four decades of information on some of the most unique and volatile personalities of our times. At first you just kind of look through all the material in awe, then you have to try and figure out where to start! Well, for me, I'm still reading volume three - '40 Years of Music and a Trunk of Memories'. I've probably read it in its entirety at least three times now. Where did these guys get all this stuff? The book sets the new standard for comprehensive rock discographies the world over. Simply amazing! (And hey, Francesco…could you send me a CD-r of the unreleased Déjà Vu stuff ?) I've also looked through Volume 1 "The Early Years'. It was a bit puzzling at first until you realize the way you have to read this book. It goes one column Crosby, one column Stills, one column Nash and keeps alternating. There is no "sometimes-Young" column, but he does feature prominently in the book. There are lots of great stories some which have been re-told many times before. The Hollies stuff is probably the most interesting as it seems to be the most historically neglected area to date, and it's really great to finally have that available. Volume 2, "1968-2002" is the center of the project and the meat of the story. It is also a bit similar to the format of the Dave Zimmer CSN book. This volume makes liberal use of quotes and statements from various magazines and publications through the years, and the use of song lyrics to mark each section of the story is a really cool idea. Volume 2, and especially the coverage of the neglected later years, is well documented, detailed and supported by a series of incredible rare photos. Taken as a whole, this is definitely likely the definitive book as far as Crosby, Stills and Nash goes. As far as the "sometimes-Young", well, it's not really a Neil Young book. I have just finished reading Shakey, which to date, I think is the definitive Neil Young biography (sorry, Johnny). Neil is well covered as he relates to the history of the band, but nothing on him is given in much detail, and perhaps this is a later project for the authors. Young certainly doesn't come off as that positive, but then neither do CSN. This is certainly not a whitewashed, fan version of their history, but an honest, historical, comprehensive overview of both a fascinating era and group of musicians. So to the authors from all of the CSN&Y fans around the world, I recommend a huge round of applause for a job extremely well done. Thanks again for sticking with the project and also for the regular updates. And in closing, special thanks for never, anywhere in the whole 3 volumes, using the phrase "heh, heh, heh". BROKEN ARROW (U.K. - issue # 88, November 2002 - review by Chuck Blanch)

A labor of love if there ever was one, the authors of Crosby, Stills, Nash and sometimes Young have spent years of tireless effort to produce this exhaustive body of work. Covering a time span of four decades, the reader is rewarded with a fascinating, deeply honest account - sometimes painfully so - of the collective musical journeys of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and (as the title puts it, "sometimes" Neil Young). Volume I focuses on the early years: Crosby's flight with the Byrds; Stills, Young and the seminal Buffalo Springfield; Nash and the British-Invasion-era Hollies....nearly up to the pivotal moment in 1968 when Crosby and Stills locked voices with Nash for the first time. Volume 2 picks up the story in 1969, from CSN's landmark first album, travelling all the way through to CSNY's wildly successful 2002 American tour. The ups, and downs, the peaks and valley's .... its' all in here. Volume 3 ("40 Years of Music and a Trunk of Memories") is the icing on the cake: discography, concert, radio and TV chronology; films, VHS and DVD; multimedia and more. Not yet available in US bookstores, Crosby, Stills, Nash and sometimes Young may be ordered directly through Gopher Publishers at www.gopherpublishers.com THE INSIDE CONNECTION MAGAZINE (USA - February 2003)

A true labor of love, this exhaustive three-volume set covers the collective and individual careers of CSN&Y in such detail that by the time you finish reading them, you’ll be thunderstruck. Culled from hundreds of interviews and articles over the last 35 years, the authorship team weaves everything together in a all but seamless fashion, and this in itself is remarkable. But aside from the text, the photo selection is equally inspiring. Hundreds of rare shots (many never before seen), video stills and album sleeves are liberally sprinkled throughout the books, making them a virtual page-documentary. Volume one is a transitory, 150-page book on the members’ pre-CSN (&Y) careers in Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds and The Hollies, following their divergent paths up to the point of conception at either Cass Elliot or Joni Mitchell’s house (no one can yet agree on where the first performance took place). Volume two provides the core of the story, with CSN’s debut, Young’s addition, group, solo/duo and re-formation history from 1968 all the way through the recent turn-of-the-century CSN&Y events. The fast-paced professional and personal events in these four individuals is quite an odyssey, and the writers take good care in balancing art and life, and for the most part, eschewing gossip. Volume 3 (subtitled 40 Years Of Music and a Trunk Of Memories) is a completist’s delight: a 350+ page reference guide, containing virtually every known performance, release and recording session. This volume also contains a cornucopia of rare album/CD and 45 picture sleeves (many of them in full color), making it as close to a coffee table book as you’re likely to get on the quartet. Monumental in its scope and nearly cinematic in form, this book is a feast for fans of a band whose legend righteously stands the test of time. GOLDMINE (USA - April 2003)


What the people say

Volume three is a must as it just contains so much information! Volume two is a CSN fans orgasm! Higham and White both tried to convince me of their worth, but it's only now I realise how good they are! At £31 each they are not cheap, but they are the best books EVER on CSNY! (from a posting to the UK CSN mailing-list LeeShore – 15 October 2002)

Hi Rusties - I got my "Crosby Stills Nash and sometimes Young" Vol.1-3 Box Set today in the mail. I've "only" been waiting since the year 2000! It's updated through 2002. Some very interesting photos/posters/backstage passes,etc...that I've never seen. So, I've got a lot of reading to do. Also, the "RUST" community is mentioned on back of each Volume, as is the Lee-Shore. (from: clark8114@aol.com to Rust - 23 Oct 2002)

My 3 books have also arrived. From what I've seen these are the most comprehensive books I've ever seen about the 4 lads. Some excellent pictures!!! Thanks Francesco for all of your dedication to get the books out....the wait was WELL worth it!!! I can't wait to actually read them! (from: bberry1112@aol.com Mike Durham to Rust - 24 Oct 2002)

I give the books four stars out of five. Michael Heatley (author of "Neil Young", Omnibus Press 1997) - October 2002

I got your new CSNY book set last week. It is unbelievable!!!!! You guys did such a great job. And it was so nice of you to put me in the thank you section. It is a great honor for me to be in such an incredible set of books! Bill Rigg (Virginia) - 26 October 2002

Hi, I just want to let you know that I received my books and I`m greatly pleased. The photos are outstanding and the obscure pictures, especially the early years, show the incredible amount of effort and work put into this product. I highly endorse them for all fans. Thank you very much! Jody Pula - 28 October 2002

Dear Herman, Francesco, Stefano, & Lucien... I received your three CSN&Y books this afternoon in the mail. They are absolutely beautiful pieces of work that we have long awaited. You guys have proven your passion. Thank you very much for compiling your efforts and sharing them with the rest of us. Shirly Andre (Canada) - 28 October 2002

THANK YOU and kudos and congratulations on a FABULOUS BOOK. I finally got the set and I find this to be even more impressive than any Johnny Rogan's effort. I am VERY, VERY IMPRESSED as well as THRILLED to have this. I am a HUGE devotee of the boys in the band and have followed and chronicled their history in clippings, first hand photography, memorabilia, records, print media, video and film. For me, CSNY are a way of life, a cultural phenomenon and true artists of INTEGRITY. Making this book available to fans is a wonderful gift to both the fans and to posterity so the band's legend is again documented and celebrated. Now that I see the full and finished product, I begin to appreciate the scope of this project and I truly appreciate your efforts. Best wishes to you and great success with it! CARRY ON, We Have All Been Here Before! C.J. Dentato - 28 October 2002

I finally (!) received the complete set of books that I originally ordered in May. Well, the wait was definitely worth it. Even though I have just begun to read volume 1 and have scanned volume 3 (in particular, the section on unreleased sessions), I have learned a lot already. Since I had read so many other books and articles about the subjects, I did not anticipate the wealth of new information. I cannot stress how much I have learned in the brief time I have spent with the books (and I have spent a LOT of time with Rogan, Zimmer, 10+ Neil books, many Byrds books, Einarson, etc.). These books are remarkable for the extent they DON'T overlap with previous books. The sessions section has me just drooling although I suppose much of the rarest material exists solely inside the vaults. (I'm still searching for a copy of Coast Road, which I had read in a Grateful Dead book was in circulation.) Congratulations on completing such an impressive collection of works. They're amazing! Robert Wall - 12 November 2002

I received my copies of the Crosby, Stills, Nash and sometimes Young books last Saturday (ordered online from Gopher). While I'm still in the process of going through them, I just wanted to comment that I'm mightily impressed. Francesco, Stefano, Lucien and Herman obviously poured their hearts and souls onto these pages. The decade-plus effort put into this project shows. Remarkably, most of the quotes in the text have not been published in book-form before. And I was happy to see insightful comments from many "behind-the-scenes" players such as Kenny Weiss (Stills's former manager and music publisher) as well as a lot of fresh material from CSN and sometimes Y, plus quotes from hard-to-find articles. Also, the tone of the book is definitely not fanzine-like. It has a fluid, energetic feel that makes it a great "curl up on the couch" while foul weather rages outside kind of a read. As for the photographs ... I've never seen many of them before. My favorites are: young Stills shots circa the Couch Album and Manassas, a number of Tom Davis photos, a selection of Henry Diltz photos I've never seen, and a wonderful shot by Roger Barone of Stills before a '76 Stills-Young Band concert in Philly. My only mild quibble has to do with the layout of The Early Years book, which features three separate, parallel narratives for Crosby, Stills and Nash. I found myself having to flip pages back and forth in order to keep up with the flow of the stories. That said, I understand what a difficult task it is to track the guys' individual journeys as well as the group combinations. In my book on CSN, I ended up breaking up the text into copy blocks, with sub-heads, in order to keep the stories rolling forward. So I don't really know which technique is most effective. A final comment before heading off ... ORDER THESE BOOKS! I've got nothing to gain by saying that. If everyone on this list is as interested in CSN and sometimes Y as they seem to be, these books have too much fresh content, too many unseen photos and too many unearthed facts to do without. Dave Zimmer (New Jersey) - 13 November 2002

The authors have put a lot of work into these books! I was a bit dubious about buying them as I didn't think that I needed another CSN book, but I was told that there is little rehash in these books! I thought they were expensive until I saw them! They are jam packed wth information and most of it new! Very little of his stuff has been available before! These guys have written the book that CSNY fans have been waiting for! After this the only place for a writer to start from is 2003! These guys have the rest covered! They are a great read and I recommend them. George Abbs (England) - 13 November 2002

I just got my copies here in Australia by way of a very kind sister-in-law in London. They are amazing - just what a dedicated fan likes to check out! Praise to the authors and their dedication. Rod Sims (Australia) - 14 November 2002

I got mine last week. My thanks to the authors. And I agree, there is so much to go through and discover. I'm amazed at all the work that has gone into these books. A worthwhile addition to anyone's library. Kevin Audsley (Canberra, Australia) - 14 November 2002

I just received my two sets of your treatise on the boys and I have been glued to the set since they arrived. You did an amazing job!!! Never in my wildest dreams did I think your research would have taken you to such a high level. I especially appreciated the concert dates of each performed. WOW!!! In reading over the part on the earliest of the CSNY concert dates you answered one of my most puzzling questions... You see, Blossom Music Center was built in the mid 60's and opened in 1969. I had always remembered that CSN was scheduled and booked to play Blossom that first year 1969 and actually sold a whopping 29,000 tickets; a record ticket sales to any event. The second highest attended show was the Michael Stanley Band at 24,000. Yet, I could never find when CSNY actually played. I recently found out that CSN and not CSNY was booked to play in the early summer of 1969. That show would have been the opening of Blossom and in fact their first show ever. Call it their Grand Opening... Well, your book explained to me that in the early summer of 1969 CSN was actually planning to go out as CSN until they cancelled those early shows and hired Neil. Now everything makes sense. Joe Ray Skrha (Alaska) - 18 November 2002

Thank you for the gift. The books turned out well. I do like them and I think they're in a great format. Lot's of good information. Well done...all of you. Again, thanks. Graham Nash (California) - 21 November 2002

I have been reading the three volumes of the CSNY books and I am fascinated by all the detail that you have included in them. These books really are the definitive record of CSNY's work. The details and photographs that you have included are quite amazing and has helped to develop and explain my understanding of many of the areas of their work that had not been reported elsewhere. The comments from them that you have included set everything in place. The volume that lists all their concerts is quite incredible and I don't know how you have been able to gather all the detail that you have, but I'm glad that you did. Particularly of interest to me are the lists of all the Stephen Stills concerts and the full details of his backing bands. It seems that "Love the One You're With" is included in almost every set! With regard to the "Stills Alone" CD, I had wondered for some time why the vocal on the version of "Singin' Call" there sounded so rich. Now that I read that it was the original demo version and this explains it all! It was very nice to see that you listed my name along with other contributors from the days of "Wooden Nickel" in the books. This was a very kind thought. These are just a few comments. Thank you to you and your co-authors for all the work that went into it. David Fielder (England) - 22 November 2002

Hi- I have recently bought your excellent CSNY books (volumes 2 and 3) from the Helter Skelter music bookshop on a recent trip to London. Congratulations- they are truly excellent and an awesome achievement! It is difficult to see how they can be bettered. Ideally I guess I would have liked to see a section on Bootlegs in Volume 3 but that is a minor quibble. Certainly details that you give on unreleased material is very tantalising- we can only hope that some of it surfaces eventually (like the Beach Boys material does- I'm also a fan of them- it's the harmonies again!) Stuart Fuller (York, England) - 29 November 2002

I just finished reading volume 2 and, as with all great books, I was sad to see it end. In fact, after finishing page 455, I turned the page expecting to read of Neil's odd gigs in the Spring of 2002, Nash's triumphant release and tour (which I missed unfortunately), the waiting game over Stills' new album and somewhat dubious Columbia years -greatest hits (though I suppose it's less dubious than MCA's Crosby-Nash greatest hits, which includes no previously unissued material - is this intended to replace the 3 albums in terms of future availability?) and the odd appearances here and there of our heroes. Then I realized that the books had to go to publishing at some point. I guess the good news is that they're all alive, reasonably healthy and still capable of producing great shows and new songs at or near age 60. It was a real thrill to see them twice in 2002 (after my first group gig in 2000 - I believe I was seated behind/above stage when the picture at bottom of page 439 was taken.) I also got to meet lots of fans from both Lee shore and Rust, including Scott Sandie of NYAS and (suite) Lorraine, among others. As I said before but now confirm (having read the book, as someone once sang), I learned so much more about CSNY from your books: who they are, what they did when "I" was away, etc. If nothing else, the books have whetted my appetite to hear more shows, just at the time I thought I was burning out or had all that I needed in my collection. I'm grateful to have a better idea of what I'm missing (like Coast Road - I'm gonna listen to my IICORMN outtakes carefully, Crosby solo 73, certain tours like CSN 96, some benefits.) And I do hope that someone persuades the guys to open up the vaults again (not just Neil, but it seems as if there's tons of unheard CSNY.) Robert Wall - 1 December 2002

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